tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48211801101190596722018-10-14T12:05:21.983-06:00View From The Cheap SeatsYou can listen to the mainstream media or you can find out the truth. The choice is yours. Listen to http://www.kenhudnall.comKen Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-27712302044747443832018-10-14T12:05:00.001-06:002018-10-14T12:05:21.958-06:00Beyond Roswell Becomes A Television ShowThe book Beyond Roswell is becoming a television show. As we know more information, we will post it here.Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-21561564712294905932017-02-06T08:42:00.000-07:002017-02-06T08:42:30.129-07:00GROWING PAINS<div style="text-align: justify;">Kenhudnall.com is growing into a new store. With over 80 books on the market and a number of reports and articles, our old store just cannot hold everything. We have also made it easier to purchase our products with an agreement with Paypal. Many of the books will be available through downloads and those items that cannot be downloaded will be shipped through UPA. Join us for our numerous trips through the strange and unusual paths that we explore in our books. Come check out the new store. Enjoy!</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-27386444217139151622017-02-04T13:43:00.000-07:002017-02-04T13:43:30.479-07:00A NEW BEGINNINGWell friends it has been a while since I have blogged. My website did not allow the use of this BlogSpot blog, but my new website incorporates it. I have a lot to talk about. Now we have published 80 books and several videos. The Ken Hudnall Radio Show is still going strong and as of March 1, 2017 we will commence webinars where we will discuss the contents of the books and other topics of interest. For the first time many of our books will be downloadable e-books. So join us at <a href="http://www.youtubelive.com/" target="_blank">Youtubelive</a>.com and watch for our webinars. I assure you that this is the beginning of many more blog interests in the future.Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-60763953616115559442014-05-14T13:26:00.002-06:002014-05-14T13:28:10.005-06:00Sorry For The Delay<div style="text-align: justify;">It has been sometime since my last posting and I am sorry for the delay. I was finishing up mu education (my 5th degree) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and getting a education in the fact that this institution of higher learning does not like disabled veterans. It would seem that in our new liberal political environment those who have served in the military are pariahs and must be watched with suspicion though government money associated with allowing those evil veterans to attend the university are grabbed with both hands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will tell you more in future posts, you just simply will not believe what has happened. Also bear with us as everything is being overhauled and we will add internet television to the offerings from kenhudnall.com.. Until next time, have a great day.</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-46593716833938246452012-09-09T10:19:00.000-06:002012-09-09T10:23:16.967-06:00President Barack Obama Visits Fort BlissI was fortunate to be selected to cover the speech by President Barack Obama at Fort Bliss. The following&nbsp;story appeared at <a href="http://www.borderzine.com/">http://www.borderzine.com</a>.<br /><br /><h1>Obama visits Fort Bliss to praise the sacrifice and dedication of U.S. troops after a decade of war</h1><h2 class="byline">By <a href="http://borderzine.com/contributors/kenhudnall">Ken Hudnall</a> on September 7, 2012</h2><a class="cboxElement" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-034348.jpg" rel="lightbox[12915]"><img alt="20120907-034348.jpg" class="size-full" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-034348.jpg" width="656" /></a><br />EL PASO – President Barack Obama returned to Fort Bliss two years after his first visit at the end of the Iraq war to tell the troops that after a decade of war America has not forgotten its wounded warriors.<br />He promised the troops on August 31 more counselors, more clinicians, more care and more treatment. “Today we’re taking another step. I’ve signed a new executive order to give our troops, our veterans, and our families better access to mental health care,” Obama said.<br />The president said that he was here for a simple reason, but it was clear that his reasons went far beyond that. He was here with a plan to address the wounds of the decade of war that has sapped this country’s strength and of course, to try and sway as many military votes his way in the upcoming election. <br />As befits a man who has been called the rock star president, Obama received a warm welcome from the crowd of an estimated 2,000 soldiers and their families. Whatever their political leanings, there was no doubt that the personality of the Commander in Chief made a distinct impression on this group of men and women. <br /><a class="cboxElement" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-034858.jpg" rel="lightbox[12915]"><img alt="20120907-034858.jpg" class="alignnone size-full" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-034858.jpg" /></a><br />The event was not open to the general public, rather the audience included selected soldiers and significant others, Gold Star Families, a cadre of pre-credentialed media, and elected officials. Major General Dana J.H. Pittard opened the event with some remarks followed by General Lloyd Austin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army who introduced the President of the United States. <br />The president initially made it clear that he had returned to Fort Bliss to mark the sacrifice and achievements of the U.S. military. “Two years ago, I was here to mark a historic moment in the life of our nation and out military – the end of major combat operations in Iraq. It was a chance for me to say on behalf of the American people to you and all who served there – welcome home and congratulations on a job well done.” <br />Two years ago, he stressed the need for more work to be done even though the war in Iraq was over. He had spoken of taking the fight to Al-Qaeda and he stressed the fact that in regard to this he had kept his word and, with allies and partners, more top Al-Qaeda terrorists had been taken out than at any time since 9/11 including Osama bin Laden. <br />Though he spoke of victories and achievements, he also had words for the many fallen and wounded warriors. Before the remarks, he had taken time from his schedule to meet with some Gold Star families and left them with the message that “their loved ones live on in the soul of our nation and we will honor them always.” <br />He said that the war in Afghanistan would continue until the U.S. turned over operational control to the Afghan military. We would end this war responsibly, he said, bringing to a close a full decade of war, but he stressed that the work would not end when the last soldier came home. <br />The next battle would be healing the wounds of war, he said. He made a pledge that, as president, he would insist that America serve the soldiers and their families as well as the soldiers and their families had served America. <br />The wounds of war would be addressed and, as much as possible, healed, he said. Just as America gave soldiers the best equipment and technology on the battlefield, it would also give soldiers the best support and care available when they return home. <br /><a class="cboxElement" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-035051.jpg" rel="lightbox[12915]"><img alt="20120907-035051.jpg" class="alignnone size-full" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/20120907-035051.jpg" /></a><br />Prior to his official remarks, Obama said that he had taken part in a roundtable with some soldiers and their families, talking about the struggle of coming home, especially for the wounded warriors. <br />The government has poured a tremendous amount of resources into this effort, giving unprecedented support to the soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injury and PTSD.<br />Finally, he reiterated another promise that he made at Fort Bliss two years ago – that when a soldier takes off the uniform for the last time that he, or she, will be helped to fully participate in the economy. Every single soldier deserves his or her chance to live the American dream, he said.<br />In support of this pledge, the Transition Assistance Program has been overhauled, creating a kind of reverse boot camp. As soldiers transition through this program, they will receive help finding a job, pursue a degree or start a business. Soldiers and their families will be helped to pursue their education under the Post 9/11 GI-Bill. <br />He also stressed that the government would be cracking down on those schools that have been trying to take soldiers’ money and then rip them off by not giving them the education that they paid for. <br />He pledged that the government would keep hiring the newest veterans in the federal government and in communities as police officers and firefighters and first responders. As a result of tax credits more businesses can hire veterans and wounded warriors. He also spoke of new regulations that would make it easier for veterans to transfer their military skills to the licenses and credentials that are needed to get a civilian job. <br />After all, he said, if a veteran has been a medic in theater, he or she should not have to start at Nursing 101. He spoke of a challenge he had made to the private section to hire 100,000 veterans and he revealed that patriotic companies had hired 125,000 veterans to date. <br />Finally, in support of his plan for aiding returning veterans he called on Congress to pass the Veterans Jobs Corps that provides tax credits to businesses that hire vets. <br />He finished his remarks by describing a wounded warrior he met the last time he was in Afghanistan – Sergeant Chase Haag, then 22. This past spring, Haag and his team were hit by an IED shortly before the president landed. <br />So when Obama arrived at the hospital room, Haag and his team were in pretty bad shape. Haag’s injuries were extensive and the President did not want to intrude. However, Haag’s physician insisted that the president should speak to the young man even though he appeared to be sleeping. <br />Obama said a few words and then turned to go when the young man’s hand slowly came up from under the blanket that covered him giving the president a firm Army handshake. After a pause, the president said that the actions of that wounded soldier captured the spirit, the resilience, the tenacity, the discipline, the resolve, and the patriotism of all soldiers.Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-80714349452390870082012-07-29T12:52:00.000-06:002012-07-29T12:52:15.275-06:0022 YEARS ON THE AIR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJg3ePWtVjY/UBWGHYAYDHI/AAAAAAAAAHE/2BhEG2nonys/s1600/photos+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJg3ePWtVjY/UBWGHYAYDHI/AAAAAAAAAHE/2BhEG2nonys/s1600/photos+003.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year is something of a milestone for me. It was 1989 when I aired my first radio show, called "Adventure Radio" on KORG in Anaheim, California.. I was just learning the business and I have to say it was a blast. I began to talk about unsolved mysteries, last treasures, unidentified flying objects and of course, ghosts on that first show and the audience loved it. I began my radio journey during afternoon drive time doing a one hour show each afternoon, Monday through Friday. The problem was that the audience wanted ore stories and guest interviews and the station had no additional time to give to me. As a result, I switched to 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM in the evening. The response was overwhelming.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I began my career with a co-host, a lovely young lady who I thought could help me build the show into something that I could syndicate nationally onto other stations. In the beginning, a show is not profitable, hard work is required to make an income stream from such a venture. Of course to even do a show on one station requires an enormous amount of work and unfortunately, she believed that as "talent" she was not required to work outside the studio, selling ads or getting guests for example, but she most assuredly expected to have ownership of half of the show handed to her as her due. Well, it did not work like that. She did take me to the labor board claiming ownership of half of the show. They laughed at her demands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My second full time co-host was a remarkable young lady who wanted to use the show as her springboard to Hollywood fame and fortune. She also began to play politics with various power players in the area, and worst of all, she began to &nbsp;decide which advertisers I should do business with in order to enhance her own personal image. To her the show came second and her potential Hollywood career came first. She was a superb manipulator, but in the end, her manipulation brought that first show to an end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My next radio venture was creating what we might call a podcast today for broadcast on various stations. This venture opened up an entirely new world for me. I began to understand how best to create shows and how to use those shows in order to develop a stream of income. I also first saw the potential of internet radio.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since those early days, I have been on a number of stations and witnessed why radio was surpassed by television/ It was not the fascination with the visual imagery, but rather it was the attitude of the station managers that treated radio like a toy. On a daily basis, the average listener is in range of a radio much more than a television. The American fascination with radio is still a powerful factor, but when left in the hands of complete jackasses, this medium is still in danger of fading away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I do an internet radio show at http://www.kenhudnall.com (this is my website and a link there takes you to the show). I broadcast from 6:00 PM Mountain time - 9:00 PM Monday through Friday. Come and join us.</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-9327413202227280962012-07-19T14:29:00.000-06:002012-07-19T14:29:01.500-06:00PLAZA CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL TO WELCOME AL PACINO<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JU3LNEQk1Is/UAhs8IamSnI/AAAAAAAAAGg/hujgduP3WaA/s1600/al+pacino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JU3LNEQk1Is/UAhs8IamSnI/AAAAAAAAAGg/hujgduP3WaA/s1600/al+pacino.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar Winner Al Pacino</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">EL PASO - Nostalgia is a wonderful thing when you are well along in life. The memories of youth many times built around classic films are resurrected during the very rare film festivals held from time to time. Well, more than 80 classic films will be shown in El Paso in August.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza Classic Film Festival will be held August 2 – 12 at the historic Plaza Theater. The festival was created in 2008 to celebrate this country’s rich cinema history and rekindle the joy of going to the movies. Movie going in El Paso was a special time as the historic Plaza theater was an integral part of culture in El Paso for many years and seeing a movie there was a special event. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza Theatre, located in downtown El Paso, just up the street from the iconic Camino Real Hotel, was built during the Great Depression begun by Louis Dent and finished by Paramount-Publix of New York, at a cost of $1 million. In its youth the Plaza was referred to as one of the most beautiful theaters in the country and heralded as the “Southwest’s most perfect theater”. When it opened on September 12, 1930, crowds swarmed the theater, enjoying its “atmospheric” architectural style. The design of the main auditorium was such that it made you feel that you were sitting in the courtyard of a Spanish hacienda. There was little argument that the Plaza Theatre was the grandest of the region’s movie palaces and the crown jewel of El Paso’s theater district.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQbjbtXyRZM/UAhtBqi3rLI/AAAAAAAAAGo/UJorFGwQSto/s1600/Eva+Marie+Saint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQbjbtXyRZM/UAhtBqi3rLI/AAAAAAAAAGo/UJorFGwQSto/s1600/Eva+Marie+Saint.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva Marie Saint</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza was originally intended to accommodate road shows and grand opera but it was primarily intended to show motion pictures, However all things must come to an end and after a continuous run of over four and a half decades, the Plaza closed for good in the late 1970s. In a move toward modernization, there was even a plan in the works to demolish the grand old theater. However, the plan to do away with what had long been part of El Paso life for over 4 decades angered a number of residents and grassroots efforts arose to save the Plaza from the wrecking ball. In answer to the demands of the community, the El Paso Community Foundation stepped in to take up the challenge of saving, preserving and finally restoring the Plaza Theatre to its original grandeur. After many years of effort and almost $30 million in renovation costs, the Plaza Theatre once again reopened as the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center on March 17, 2006.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muqb8C_vYrc/UAhtFlWkezI/AAAAAAAAAGw/YQh6KHPhQdE/s1600/Mary+Badham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muqb8C_vYrc/UAhtFlWkezI/AAAAAAAAAGw/YQh6KHPhQdE/s1600/Mary+Badham.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Badham</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza Theater is now the home of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and El Paso’s finest venue for music concerts and Broadway shows, however, movies have not been forgotten. The El Paso Community Foundation took the lead to fully restore this venerable movie palace to its historic glory: in the spring of 2008 the Foundation purchased and installed a state-of-art film and digital projection system and an enormous 50’ wide screen.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">For generations of El Pasoans, going to the movies, meant going to the Plaza Theatre. It was the first public building in El Paso to have air conditioning and refrigerated water fountains. Such things are long remembered by the older movie going public. So it was with great anticipation that people looked forward to going to the movies at the Plaza once again. Thanks to the overwhelming community and corporate support during the Plaza Classic Film Festival’s first year, the festival has become one of the most anticipated events in the region’s cultural calendar.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza Classic Film Festival is more than a nostalgia trip down memory lane for older El Pasoans. One of the goals of the festival is to educate audiences about the history and art of the cinema and reawaken the joy of watching great films. With the help of special presenters and through educational outreach programs and film talks, the festival provides many opportunities to expand your knowledge and appreciation of these “classics”. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRchVvKKaeE/UAhtJMH1-vI/AAAAAAAAAG4/SDV4Ob9v6pg/s1600/Tippi+Hedren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRchVvKKaeE/UAhtJMH1-vI/AAAAAAAAAG4/SDV4Ob9v6pg/s1600/Tippi+Hedren.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tippi Hedren</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Plaza Theatre is, without a doubt, once again one of the finest movie palaces in the country. It is also interesting to note that the Plaza Classic Film Festival is a non-commercial, all-volunteer effort and a special project of the El Paso Community Foundation. All proceeds from the festival go to the Plaza Film Fund to be used to provide grants to local filmmakers, underwriting for alternative film festivals and to support educational film initiatives in the area.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">This year the Plaza Classic Film Festival will include more than 80 films including Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Duck Soup, To Kill a Mockingbird, American in Paris and many others. Among the presenters will be such luminaries as Tippi Hedren, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “The Birds”, Eva Marie Saint, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “North by Northwest”, Mary Badham of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and last but not least, the one and only Oscar winning actor Al Pacino. Mr. Pacino will perform an intimate evening detailing his illustrious career in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Al Pacino: One Night Only</b> at the historic Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Texas, on August 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">During this 10 day festival, the Plaza Theater, the gem of the southwest will once again shine as brightly as she did almost 80 year ago. Come be a part of the brilliance as once again, we go down memory lane during a night at the movies.<o:p></o:p></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-78412371718267254892012-07-04T20:10:00.003-06:002012-07-08T17:04:10.569-06:00Galaxy Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohFCgdACj9U/T_Tx7NeGVsI/AAAAAAAAAF4/x8OyZVq3Edo/s1600/_MG_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohFCgdACj9U/T_Tx7NeGVsI/AAAAAAAAAF4/x8OyZVq3Edo/s320/_MG_0777.JPG" width="252" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This year was the 65<sup>th</sup>anniversary of the alleged crash of an Unidentified Flying Object at Roswell, New Mexico. As has been the custom for many years, around the fourth of July, a dual celebration of this event was held in Roswell, one sponsored by the town and the other by the UFO Museum and Study Center. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Galaxy Fest, the event sponsored by the UFO Museum and Study Center, held its opening ceremonies in the UFO Museum at 9:00 AM, Friday, June 29<sup>th</sup>. Each year the Museum invites stars from the world of science fiction as well as the leading researchers and authors in the field of UFO phenomenon. Attending this event was Denise Crosby, the actress that played Tasha Yar on the first season of the television program Star Trek: The Next Generation. She signed autographs and talked with the fans of that long running show. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTVAsNgxrIk/T_T0eShxObI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Y2UsqTQfogc/s1600/_MG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KTVAsNgxrIk/T_T0eShxObI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Y2UsqTQfogc/s320/_MG_0791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>There were also a number of UFO researchers and authors present, including Tom Carey, Diana Perla Chapa, Stanton Friedman, Paola Harris, Frank Kimbler, Kathleen Marden, Steve Pierce, Kevin Randle, David Rudiak, Robert Salas, Freddy Silva, Don Schmitt, Derrel Sims, Yvonne Smith, abductee Travis Walton, Larry Holcombe, myself, Sharon King, Tom Kirkbride, K. Lorraine, Jull Amariah Mara and Linda Mooney. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The event attracted visitors from as far away as Australia and introduced a large number of people to the various aspects of the UFO mystery through displays, books and lectures. As might be expected, the lectures covered the gamut of topics related to the alleged crash of a craft from another planet. Additionally, since UFOs tend to be lumped in with what are referred to as “new age” subjects, there were talks regarding other “new age” subjects that were not directly related to UFOs, such as Freddy Silva’s talk on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Coding of Earth: Crop Circles, Sacred Sites and the Coming of Human Evolution</i>”. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0zEoOe-s8/T_T1Qu_bp1I/AAAAAAAAAGM/nbRtmC6DkYQ/s1600/_MG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iG0zEoOe-s8/T_T1Qu_bp1I/AAAAAAAAAGM/nbRtmC6DkYQ/s320/_MG_0884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Kathleen Marden, the niece of abductees Betty and Barney Hill spoke on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The E.T. Agenda: Why Don’t they land on the White House Lawn</i>?” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captured: The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience</i>”. Larry Holcombe spoke on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Nixon Administration and the TV Documentary UFOs: Past, Present and Future</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The History of Modern Presidents and the UFO Enigma</i>”. David Rudiak spoke on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ramey Memo</i>”. Travis Walton and Steve Pierce discussed Walton’s abduction by aliens which became a book and a movie entitled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fire in the Sky</i>”. Stanton Friedman, the “rediscoverer” of the Roswell Crash discussed “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Man’s Place in the Universe</i>”. Linda Mooney discussed “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How to Love an Alien</i>”. Frank Kimbler presented a talk on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roswell Artifacts</i>”. Diana Perla Chapa talked about “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mayan Predictions: Extra Terrestrial Input</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mayan Predictions and the Importance of the Pyramid Shape</i>”. Don Schmitt and Tom Carey presented two talks, one entitled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deathbed Confessions: The Truth of Roswell Finally Revealed</i>” and the other was “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roswell Generals Talk: What They Said Really Happened</i>”. I spoke on “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">UFOs and the Supernatural</i>”. Paola Harris presented “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A UFO Update – The International Perspective</i>”. Kevin Randle presented “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reflections of a UFO Investigator</i>”. Yvonne Smith presented “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chosen: Recollections of UFO Abductions through Hypnotherapy</i>”. Derrel Sims talked about “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien Implants: New Secrets Unveiled and Cases on the Horizon</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who Is the Alien</i>?” K. Lorraine presented talks on the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lonely Alien</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Apple Trick</i>”. Robert Salas presented “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">UFOs, Nuclear Weapons and Extreme Secrecy</i>”. Jill “Amariah” Mara presented talks entitled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meet Benevolent Extraterrestrials</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Telepathic ET Contact</i>”. Tom Kirkbride presented “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Science Fiction Heroes and Today’s Politics</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freedom and Science Fiction</i>”.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lest readers begin to think that Roswell is just known for an alleged UFO crash, the area also has a tremendous amount of history. A group of pioneers from Missouri attempted to establish a settlement, called Missouri Plaza, about 15 miles southwest of what is now Roswell in 1865 but were forced to abandon the site because of a lack of water. Cattleman John Chisum had his famous Jingle Bob Ranch, the largest ranch in the country, about 5 miles from the center of Roswell, at South Spring Acres. The first buildings to be established in Roswell were two adobe buildings built in 1869 by Van C. Smith, a businessman from Omaha, Nebraska, and his partner, Aaron Wilburn. The two buildings became the settlement's general store, post office, and sleeping quarters for paying guests. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">In 1871, Van C. Smith filed a claim with the federal government for the land around the buildings, and on August 20, 1873, he became the town's first postmaster. Van C. Smith was the son of Roswell Smith, a prominent Indiana lawyer and Annie Ellsworth, daughter of U.S. Patent Commissioner Henry Leavitt Ellsworth. Smith named the town Roswell, after his father's first name.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">During World War II, a prisoner of war camp was located in nearby Orchard Park. The German prisoners of war were used to do major infrastructure work in Roswell, such as paving the banks of the North Spring River. Some POWs used rocks of different sizes to create the outline of an iron cross among the stones covering the north bank. Later, the iron cross was covered with a thin layer of concrete. In the 1980s, a crew cleaning the river bed cleared off the concrete and revealed the outline once more. The small park just south of the cross was then known as Iron Cross Park. On November 11, 1996 the park was renamed POW/MIA Park. The park displays a piece of the Berlin Wall, presented to the City of Roswell by the German Air Force. In the 1930s, Roswell was a site for much of Robert Goddard's early rocketry work. Roswell was a location of military importance from 1941 to 1967, at which time Walker Air Force Base was decommissioned. After the closure of the base, Roswell capitalized on its pleasant climate and began to gain a reputation as a retirement community.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">There are always questions as to how Roswell became so well known in regard to UFOs, to the following is quick synopsis of the Roswell Incident. On July 8, 1947, the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) public information officer Walter Haut in Roswell, New Mexico, and the father of the current director of the Roswell UFO Museum and Study Center issued a press release stating that personnel from the field's 509th Bomb Group had recovered a crashed "flying disk" from a ranch near Roswell, sparking intense media interest. The following day, the press reported that Commanding General of the Eighth Air Force Roger M. Ramey stated that, in fact, a radar-tracking balloon had been recovered by the RAAF personnel, not a "flying disc." A subsequent press conference was called, featuring debris said to be from the crashed object, which seemed to confirm the weather balloon description.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Roswell incident was quickly forgotten and almost completely ignored, even by UFO researchers, for more than 30 years. Then, in 1978, physicist and Ufologists Stanton T. Friedman interviewed Major Jesse Marcel the former intelligence officer at RAAF who was involved with the original recovery of the debris in 1947. Marcel expressed his belief that the military had covered up the recovery of an alien spacecraft. His story spread through UFO circles, being featured in some UFO documentaries at the time. In February 1980, The National Enquirer ran its own interview with Marcel, garnering national and worldwide attention for the Roswell incident.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Additional witnesses added significant new details, including claims of a huge military operation dedicated to recovering alien craft and aliens themselves, at as many as 11 crash sites, and alleged witness intimidation. In 1989, former mortician Glenn Dennis put forth a detailed personal account, wherein he claimed that alien autopsies were carried out at the Roswell base.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">In response to these reports, numerous questions from the media and after congressional inquiries, the General Accounting Office launched an inquiry and directed the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct an internal investigation. The result was summarized in two reports. The first report, which was released in 1995, concluded that the reported recovered material in 1947 was likely debris from a secret government program called Project Mogul, which involved high altitude balloons meant to detect sound waves generated by Soviet atomic bomb tests and ballistic missiles. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The second report, released in 1997, concluded that reports of recovered alien bodies were likely a combination of innocently transformed memories of military accidents involving injured or killed personnel, innocently transformed memories of the recovery of anthropomorphic dummies in military programs like Project High Dive conducted in the 1950s, and hoaxes perpetrated by various witnesses and UFO proponents. The psychological effects of time compression and confusion about when events occurred explained the discrepancy with the years in question. These reports were dismissed by UFO proponents as being either disinformation or simply implausible. However, numerous high-profile UFO researchers discount the possibility that the incident had anything to do with aliens.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">In 1978, nuclear physicist and author Stanton T. Friedman interviewed Jesse Marcel, the only person known to have accompanied the Roswell debris from where it was recovered to Fort Worth where reporters saw material said to be part of the recovered object. Over the next few years, the accounts he and others gave elevated Roswell from a forgotten incident to perhaps the most famous UFO case of all time.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">By the early 1990s, UFO researchers such as Friedman, William Moore, Karl T. Pflock, and the team of Kevin D. Randle and Donald R. Schmitt had interviewed several hundred people who had, or claimed to have had, a connection with the events at Roswell in 1947. Additionally, hundreds of documents were obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests, as were some apparently leaked by insiders, such as the disputed "Majestic 12" documents. Their conclusions were that at least one alien craft had crashed in the Roswell vicinity, that aliens, some possibly still alive, were recovered, and that a massive cover-up of any knowledge of the incident was put in place.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Of course there are also an equal number of investigators who believe that until a UFO lands on the White House lawn the entire story is a hoax. The intent of Galaxy Fest is to present the story to the world and let each visitor make up their own minds. Whatever may be the end result, the event is a fun way to spent four days and it gives people the opportunity to meet television stars, well known researchers and authors. As Mr. Spock used to say “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Live Long and Prosper</b>!”<br /></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-64325287962054713962012-06-19T13:53:00.000-06:002012-06-19T13:53:57.372-06:00Power For Power's Sake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYw32poH0lc/T-DXaMqjFFI/AAAAAAAAAFo/BoFGkLV6l3A/s1600/EPISD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYw32poH0lc/T-DXaMqjFFI/AAAAAAAAAFo/BoFGkLV6l3A/s1600/EPISD.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">It is a heady intoxication that once achieved is always craved. People jump when you snap your fingers, kowtow to you in all the little ways that make you feel above the crowd, better than anyone else. That is the feeling of power.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Once again, we have public officials in El Paso caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Dr. Lorenzo Garcia, Superintendent of the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in August of 2011 for alleged corruption. <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The indictment charged Garcia with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft from programs receiving federal funds. However, the specifics of the indictment are not really germane to this article. What is germane is the underlying cause of this debacle – the good ole boy (and girl) system that is rampant in El Paso.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The interesting thing is that, in regard to Dr. Garcia, while he was the superintendent, he had a Board of Directors that he had to answer too. In theory, the Board was there to make sure that he followed the rules. The same was true in regard to Robert E. (Bob) Jones, the President/CEO of the National Center for Employment of the Disabled (NCED). In both cases the Boards were made up of prominent individuals who were local powers in their own right. In the case of EPISD, the Board members were elected by the voters of El Paso County. So the question to be asked is how did such improper conduct happen with the eagle eyed members of their respective Boards watching both of these men? The answer is greed and ego.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In the case of NCED, though each board member was well aware of their fiduciary duty to the Company, they were also aware of Bob Jones’ world famous temper as well as his unending generosity to those that could help him achieve his goals. A phone call from Bob Jones could open doors beyond the imagining of most of us. Keep in mind that the Board members were not average individuals but well off, well educated, powerful people in their own right. Yet none of them dared question what Bob Jones wanted and therein lay the problem that led to prison for Mr. Jones and several others. None of them dated question the President of NCED because he was El Paso’s Entrepreneur of the Year and had the ear of the Mayor, the Governor and even the President of the United States. His ego and success in some odd way became their ego and their success. They felt even more powerful that than actually were because they were directors of a powerful company. The one individuial that did question him was considered a disloyal and disgruntle employee and literally shunned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In the case of Dr. Garcia, he ruled as a benevolent despot. He committed EPISD funds and gave out contracts without the mandatory bid process because he was so entrenched in the system that no one dared to question him. In spite of the contractual requirements that any contract over a certain dollar amount had to go out for bid he gave a $40,000.00 contract to a local individual to be a morale booster for the students. This contract, according to my sources never went out for bid nor was it approved by the Board. However, the Board did nothing about it when it became public. After all, to question Dr. Garcia was to question their own judgment since their job was to make sure he followed the rules. If he failed to follow the rules then it reflected badly on them, thus his decision to grant that contract for a morale booster was rubber stamped. The good ole boy system kicked in and, as usual, the game became, look innocent and stay quiet, which is something that most Boards of Director excell at. In El Paso negative publicity blows over really fast, the public quickly forgets. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Currently, there is a call in the El Paso Times for the EPISD Board to resign, but the President of the Board is standing her ground. She knows that in six months or so, if she can hold, out everyone will forget what happened and it will business as usual. She has experienced that heady wine known as power and she has no intention of giving it up and she will get away with it though she and the rest of the Board certainly have questions to answer. Such is politics in El Paso. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-49182762880691701162012-05-22T20:47:00.001-06:002012-05-22T20:47:57.317-06:00UFOs and the Supernatural<div style="text-align: justify;">Today, I went to press with my newest book, <em>UFOs and the Supernatural.</em> In spite of the title, I am not of the opinion that every Unidentified flying object is related to the supernatural, but certainly there is evidence that not every unidentified flying object is&nbsp; a potential craft from another planet. Are some of the mysterious lights in the sky really connections to the supernatural?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is amazing to note that there have been reports that point to a link between unidentified flying objects and such things as Sasquatch, Shadow People and ghosts. In this new book, I go to great lengths to explore these connections. Why have there been a number of reports of Sasquatch being found at landings by UFOs? Why have hauntings been reported by people who just recently were witnesses to landings of what appear to be space craft from another world? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEr-9yBhQ-w/T7xPqf9c4lI/AAAAAAAAAFc/O99xBVihSZQ/s1600/alien+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEr-9yBhQ-w/T7xPqf9c4lI/AAAAAAAAAFc/O99xBVihSZQ/s1600/alien+grey.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There have also been many tales of ancient gods arriving in what appear to be space craft, which would certainly&nbsp;classify as supernatural or paranormal. Every ancient religious tenet has stories that could well&nbsp;be alien visitation. These tales are explored as well. UFOs and the Supernatural has something for everyone whether you believe in UFOs are not.&nbsp;</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-65401106874458398192012-05-21T17:37:00.001-06:002012-05-21T17:37:10.671-06:00A Cultural Event<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VN0P5qWqZso/T7rRNM_L4OI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/zx8BOSajyVs/s1600/_MG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VN0P5qWqZso/T7rRNM_L4OI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/zx8BOSajyVs/s320/_MG_0755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Among the many smells in the air were grilled chicken and a number of others that I could not identify. However, the mixture was certain to draw anyone in the area who liked good food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the Festival of St. George, an annual, in its 46th year,&nbsp;even that took place this past weekend at the St. George Antiochian Church Orthodox Church&nbsp;on Festival. The core of the congregation are families from Syria, Lebanon and other part of the middle east. While these families have ssimilated into our culture, they have not forgotten their own and they make sure that their children have an appreciation for the way of life in the old country. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was no question that the members enjoyed each other's company and they welcomed guests with open arms. I have never seen such dancing and socializing since the last major fiesta I attended in Panama over thirty years ago. I want to go on record as saying that the congregation of St. George knows how to conduct a fundraiser and throw a superb party. At most events that I attend I stay only a short period of time, I left this one at the last minute for another appointment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The entertainment was&nbsp;sponsored by Westwind Pediatric, Doctors Hassan and Maha Salloum, and Las Palmas Medical Center. Dr. Salloum was the master of ceremonies and while he may be a fine doctor, he is unparalleled in his ability to thrown a complete blowout of a party. The main entertainment was furnished by a singer by the name of Farah and even though he sang in Arabic, he was an outstanding entertainer.&nbsp;Add to his unbelievable performance were dances performed by very lovely young ladies in the tradtional style.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you did not attend the Festival of St. George, you truely missed a spectacular event. It should definitely be on your list for next year.</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-8054071737295799622012-05-14T11:10:00.000-06:002012-05-14T11:10:47.573-06:00Smoke and Mirrors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_qbFN7eTh0/T7E7bOOkgEI/AAAAAAAAAFA/TDsTDP0A3is/s1600/mare_machine_gun_cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_qbFN7eTh0/T7E7bOOkgEI/AAAAAAAAAFA/TDsTDP0A3is/s320/mare_machine_gun_cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a lot of listeners to my radio show at <a href="http://www.kenhudnall.com/">http://www.kenhudnall.com</a>&nbsp;and the questions I receive from listeners certainly cover the gamut of topics. The format of the show is primarily the paranormal, bit we do get into other areas such as politics. One of my guests has been Jesse Ventura who certainly raises a storm of controversy every time he comes on the show. However, this time, the question was from way out in left field. The question was what did I think about the President's statement regarding same sex marriage?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well first of all, personally, I don't care if you want to marry a turnip, as long as you don't expect me to do the same. However, there are many in this country who firmly believe a marriage is between a man and a woman. Interestingly enough, a review of history will show that, while gays have always been with us, there is a push for mainstream recognition going on at this point in history. I wish them well, though I tend to be on the conservative side in my beliefs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, in all of the hoopla going on about President Obama and his evolving beliefs, one thing seems to be missed by most commentators. If you look at the big picture, he has done something to grab the media's attention every time the Republicans have taken an action or accomplished some milestone that would be headline worth. In other words, I believe that his "evolving" position is just more of the smoke and mirrors for which he is very famous. At this point in his administration, many of his policies have failed and he is facing a very serious opposition in Mitt Romney. As a result he would do anything he possibly can to keep the cameras focused on himself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You also have to take into consideration that his "evolving" position has cost him support of&nbsp;many of the Black religious leaders who are not in favor of gay marriages. So why risk losing that critical support so close to the election? One reason is that he is counting on the Hollywood crowd to be a cash cow and many of them are firm supporters of gay and lesbians having the right to marry. It cannot be a coincidence that he made his announcement just two days before the fundraiser at George Clooney's house.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This election is going to be a pivotal one. Will&nbsp;we elect someone simply because of their color, which&nbsp;is one of the drawing cards that the President is starting to use more and more, or will be elect someone based on the issues and the appearance that the person elected can solve the issues. President Obama's&nbsp;2008 campaign of "Hope and Change" has turned into "hope you have at least some change left in your pocket". Of course his excuse is it's all George W. Bush's fault. I am not saying that Romney can do any better. I am saying that all of these issues being raised at this point&nbsp;are just smoke and mirrors and we need to see the truth. Let's hope the this election brings a change for the better.&nbsp;</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-41523807067099339962012-05-12T11:04:00.000-06:002012-05-12T11:07:32.955-06:00Same old Same old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSKuWkgvfPZ7nxDOhwf56d2WBr0QZtFYWwDTnQrp51mRwXR4Mi7XpCWyB_5tGy1T79odwzSHlN6x08y5bV6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I inserted some video for this entry showing one way in which our troops attempt to win the hearts and minds of the Afghanis.&nbsp;&nbsp;The humming noise heard on the video is the engine of the Stryker just outside the building. In the video you can see the squad leader talking to the village elder about the needs of the village. You can also see&nbsp;the interpreter and a security team with the squad leader. As I said the training is very realistic and it was a fascinating process to watch how it is done today and compare this procedure to how we did it back in the old days. The picture below shows American troops caring for an injured Afghani.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On other news, another semester has ended with the usual race to get every assignment in before the end. It was interesting to watch some of my fellow students try and negotiate themselves out of a corner in regard to missed assignments. The problem they have run in to with this approach is that most of the professors have heard it all before. This is my fifth university degree that I am working on; thinking back, I wonder if I was that ill prepared the first time around. I simply don't remember, it was too long ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8ZjiE1BUck/T66XZvcAJjI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0ne8WF3hEj8/s1600/DSC00536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8ZjiE1BUck/T66XZvcAJjI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0ne8WF3hEj8/s320/DSC00536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will say that this program has taken me places that I never dreamed I would be going. Just recently, as I discussed in the last installment, I spent time with a Stryker unit, going through some of their training prior to their deployment at the end of this year. Without this involvement though the class there is no way I would have spent a day out in the "boonies" with a military unit. Though equipment changes, and training gets more sophisticated, the attitudes and actions of the average soldier does not. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next semester will see me interning for Borderzine Magazine, leaning the operation from the ground up. Not only will this be a platform for me to dig deeper into areas of interest, but it also gives me an outlet for many of my stories other than through this blog. As you can see, I am also moving more into videos, and some of them will be placed inside these blog entries in the future. This is forcing me to learn more and more about both editing as well as how the blog software works. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-51423293792556581262012-05-10T09:52:00.002-06:002012-05-10T09:52:23.073-06:00Back In The Saddle Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQila0PwSfM/T6vjxT8zu_I/AAAAAAAAAD4/rMveL8CRysQ/s1600/m113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQila0PwSfM/T6vjxT8zu_I/AAAAAAAAAD4/rMveL8CRysQ/s1600/m113.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was Marlon Brando in <em>Apocalypse Now</em> who said "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." For me it is the sound of powerful diesel engines idling, hinting just a promise of the power at your command and diesel fumes filing the air that takes me back to an earlier time when it was my company waiting to move out to the field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had been a career Infantry Officer until my injury. I took the uniform off long ago, but the feel and the thrill of moving a company of men and vehicles to engage an enemy is a feeling that is never forgotten. So when this assignment came along, I did not have to think long before agreeing to work as an embedded reporter in a military exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was assigned to Bravo Company, 341. The Company Commander was Captain Aaron Daniele. He commanded a company of IAV Strykers, the new mobile personnel carriers. I had commanded a company of mechanized infantry some 30 years ago when our main transport was the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. The M113 was a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. The ride was rough, the interior was dark, cramped the seats had little, if any padding,&nbsp;and with the hatches closed it was hotter than Hades inside, so I was curious to see how the Stryker stacked up. Let me tell you it was no contest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxjO65KweA8/T6vj70BrgbI/AAAAAAAAAEA/FnXSMV_Xv3w/s1600/DSC00488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxjO65KweA8/T6vj70BrgbI/AAAAAAAAAEA/FnXSMV_Xv3w/s320/DSC00488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The IAV Stryker is an eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive (8x4), armored fighting vehicle derived from the Canadian LAV III. The ride is as smooth as any car I have ever been inside of and the air conditioning was better than my car. The seats were luxurious compared to the old M113. However, where the Stryker beat the old M113 hands down was in the armament.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the M113, the primary armament was one .50 caliber machine gun mounted on top in front of the vehicle commander's cupola. A lot of fire power to be sure, but to use the gun required the gunner to be exposed to enemy fire. The Stryker's weapons system was like something out of Star Wars. With the exception of some specialized variants, the primary armament of the Stryker is a Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station with .50-cal M2 machine gun, 7.62 mm M240 machine gun, or Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher as needed.&nbsp; The gunner sits at a computer console and aims and fires the weapon system remotely.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The extensive computer support helps soldiers fight the enemy while reducing friendly fire incidents. Through a computerized monitor, each vehicle can track friendly vehicles in the field as well as detected enemies. The driver and the vehicle commander have periscopes that allow them to see outside the vehicle without exposing themselves to outside dangers. The vehicle commander also has access to a day-night thermal imagine camera which allows the vehicle commander to see what the driver sees. The vehicle commander has almost a 360-degree field of vision; the driver, a little more than 90 degrees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae0QkEHQCrg/T6vkJvP1MYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/sOCE0LK969E/s1600/DSC00525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae0QkEHQCrg/T6vkJvP1MYI/AAAAAAAAAEI/sOCE0LK969E/s320/DSC00525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another impressive aspect to the mission was the type of training that was being conducted. It was as realistic as humanly possible. I had trained in mocked up Vietnamese Villages 30 years ago, but the Afghan village we arrived at could have been in Afghanistan. Even some of those who were acting as villagers were Afghani, the language spoken was an Afghani dialect. The troops were forced to use interpreters just as they would in country. If you did not know you were in Texas, you could easily be convinced you were in Afghanistan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have to say that the operation was impressive, at least to this reporter. I kept up a running mental commentary comparing this training to what I had received and given so many years ago. The Army has come a long way. However, one important factor has not changed and will never change as long as there is an army in combat. When all is said and done, no matter how sophisticated the weapons systems, how sensitive the satellite imagery or how advanced the ride, it all comes down to that 11B Infantry soldier who has to leave the safety of his vehicle and meet the enemy Mano a Mano (sorry ladies). It is the soldier that is the backbone of our military, not weapons systems or vehicles, no matter how impressive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, I want to recognize a true gentleman, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, the Battalion Commander of 341. He made all of us there for this training feel welcome and made sure that we wanted for nothing. He was a commander who was sure enough of himself to be himself and not a tin soldier. To him I offer a salute, something I have not done in thirty years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-89215368352156695172012-04-25T17:20:00.001-06:002012-04-25T17:23:45.943-06:00Arizona's Law<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FAG0WsLuDk/T5iGjRIFv-I/AAAAAAAAADU/6kEMckGctrY/s1600/U.S.+Supreme+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FAG0WsLuDk/T5iGjRIFv-I/AAAAAAAAADU/6kEMckGctrY/s1600/U.S.+Supreme+Court.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As these words are written, Arizona law 1070 is before the United States Supreme Court. This is the Arizona law that requires all police to check with federal officials if they suspect that someone is in the country illegally. You would think, with all the talk about illegal immigrants that this would be a logical move. It would increase the number of those enforcing the immigration law by a large factor. However, it would seem that this current Administration does not want to know who is here illegally. President Obama has fought this law tooth and nail. Now it is before the court of last resort, the U.S. Supreme Court. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Supreme Court justices took a dim view of the Obama administration’s claim that it can stop the State of Arizona from enforcing immigration laws, telling government lawyers during oral argument Wednesday that the state appears to want to push federal officials to carry out the law, not conflict with them.</span></div><div class="story left mb" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The court was hearing arguments on Arizona’s immigration crackdown law, which requires police to check the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally, and would also write new state penalties for illegal immigrants who try to apply for jobs.</span></div><div class="story left mb" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Obama administration has sued, arguing that those provisions conflict with the federal government’s role in setting immigration policy, but justices on both sides of the aisle struggled to understand that argument.</span></div><div class="story left mb" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It seems to me the federal government just doesn’t want to know who’s here illegally,” Chief&nbsp;Justice</span><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/john-roberts/"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">&nbsp;John G. Roberts, Jr.</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> said at one point in the proceeding.</span></div><div class="story left mb" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Arizona law in question&nbsp;requires all Arizona police to check with federal officials if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. There can be no stops simply to check status, but if there is a stop due to another violation of the law, immigration status can be checked. The government argues that this is OK when it’s on a limited basis, but said having a state mandate for all of its law enforcement is essentially a method of trying to force the federal government to change its priorities. </span></div><div class="story left mb" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many are protesting the possible passage of this law stating, in effect,&nbsp;that illegal immigrants have as much right to live in the United States as legal citizens. In fact one of Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world is an undocumented alien (read illegal immigrant). In spite of what amounts to a confession of her status, this administration is doing nothing to address this issue. Makes you wonder about President Obama's promise in 2008 to "support and defend the Constitution and enforce the laws of the land."</span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-46107207069352493632012-04-22T12:24:00.000-06:002012-04-24T09:56:14.386-06:00A Step Back In Time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ0QnAd3VvA/T5RMNHVJwbI/AAAAAAAAABo/n4iDd65QfI0/s1600/IPad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ0QnAd3VvA/T5RMNHVJwbI/AAAAAAAAABo/n4iDd65QfI0/s1600/IPad.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple IPad - a newsroom in a box<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">El Paso - In certain circumstances a casual stroll through the woods can get you captured or killed. Certain skills that are learned in these environments are not acceptable in polite society. It is a world at war.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems like only yesterday, but 35 years ago, I was an Infantry officer who spent more time in the jungle than in garrison. In those days&nbsp;a week or more in the boonies was no big deal; sleeping on the ground was not a hardship, but actually rather confortable. Now, at my advanced age, I am being asked to go to the field once again, though this time, not as a leader but as a follower, an embedded&nbsp;reporter with an Infantry unit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three decades ago, reporters with military units filed stories when they returned to garrison. It was the nightmare of every young Infantry officer, to have a reporter dogging your footsteps, revealing to the world the decisions you made, good or bad. Now reporters can actually file stories, almost in real time,&nbsp;from the field using the Internet. Now, rather than being under the microscope, I'll be putting someone else in the spotlight. How times have changed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Technology has progressed so far and so fast that using an IPad you can take photos, edit them, write the story and file it from wherever you may be. It is really an age of electronic miracles, at least it can be. Of course, there are drawbacks, such as the ever lessening privacy that we all have to endure. Nothing can happen without</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> someone pulling out a camera phone and videoing every nuance of any given situation. </span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-16849467485150671982012-04-21T20:40:00.000-06:002012-04-21T20:45:41.079-06:00Another Piece of History Gone<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nhnNgjhoaE/T5NvP1xeZ3I/AAAAAAAAABg/rCEdAFNu_DI/s1600/hardin's+office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nhnNgjhoaE/T5NvP1xeZ3I/AAAAAAAAABg/rCEdAFNu_DI/s1600/hardin's+office.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former apartment and office of John Wesley Hardin</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">EL PASO, Texas -- As these words are written the once white gleaming walls of the building where attorney and fast gun John Wesley Hardin had his apartment and his office are collapsed in on themselves. The second and third floors of one of the most historic buildings in El Paso is a burned out ruin. In minutes, a large chunk of El Paso history is ashes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The well known building, located at the intersection of San Antonio Ave. and S. El Paso Street and directly across the street of the Camino Real Hotel,&nbsp;went up in flames shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Eventually, more than 100 firefighters were called to the scene where&nbsp;heavy smoke and flames could be seen shooting out of the first floor windows. From the apparent ignition point on the first floor, the fire soon spread&nbsp;to the second and third floors.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The fire raged for hours, eventually destroying the historic old&nbsp;building to the point that the structural integrity is in doubt. The top two&nbsp;floors were knocked down by firefighters to both help control the blaze and keep the building from collapsing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An official cause for the fire had not yet been determined, but fire investigators are working to try and figure out how and why the fire broke out and spread so rapidly. As of Saturday, both San Antonio Avenue and South El Paso Street are both still blocked by barricades. There is still a police presence as of Saturday evening to ensure that no one goes in or near the building. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another historic piece of El Paso is a thing of the past. It is sad that a town known as the gateway to the old west is allowed to literally crumble while City leaders argue over who among El Paso's first families gets the next tax abatement to built a new hotel or open a new business. El Paso could rival or even surpass San Antonio in regard to history but not at the rate we are losing it. Too bad, so sad!</span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-56745749901158800192012-04-20T13:26:00.000-06:002012-04-20T13:37:38.095-06:00The Future of Broadcasting<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb4HYhPzS7Y/T5G0VtKGGEI/AAAAAAAAABY/CMaAyTqGnY8/s1600/_MG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb4HYhPzS7Y/T5G0VtKGGEI/AAAAAAAAABY/CMaAyTqGnY8/s320/_MG_0548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent Brisebois, Steve Wozniak and Robert Legato</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do film maker&nbsp;James Cameron, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Cinematographer Robert Legato and bloggers and broadcasters from around the world have in common? They are all looking toward the future of the world of film making, broadcasting and information dissemination in general.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every year, broadcasters, film makers, cinematographers, actors and would be actors&nbsp;from around the world gather in Las Vegas, Nevada for the National Association of Broadcasters' annual convention. It is at this meeting that the cutting edge in technology is revealed to the world. For 2012, James Cameron revealed his new 5D process which will make the old 3-D glasses obsolete. Steve Wozniak, formerly of Apple and now chief scientist for Fusion-io revealed the new computer card that has more internal memory than most hard drives. One of these $2,400.00 cards in a computer will take it to the very edge of current hardware technology.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Las Vegas Convention Center covers an area equivalent to four footballs and every square inch was filled with some of the most sophisticated equipment in the industry. There was such an overflow of displays and meetings that a portion of the conference was set up in the Las Vegas Hotel (formerly the Hilton) next door. Every item the attendee had ever heard of in the world of broadcasting could be found here. Every type of camera, for the amateur to the ultimate professional could be found at one of the hundreds of booths as well as a broad array of the newest in the way of lenses and attachments. This conference had something for everyone.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to equipment, there were dozens of classes covering all aspects of the broadcast world from print to the state of the art satellite programming. Adobe conducted an entire&nbsp;block of classes revolving around production and post production that was considered so valuable that it was actually guarded by a team of security guards. Only those with the correct passes were allowed to enter. This was also the venue for the announcement of the release of Adobe's newest products.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For those who were suffering from information overload in regard to software and hardware, there also numerous personalities to be met, from the Titanic's James Cameron to Betty&nbsp;White to Emmanuel Lewis (Webster), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) and Corbin Benson (Psych). What takes place at these meetings can truly change the electronic world. This is the time and place broadcasters from around the world get together to&nbsp;discuss the future of&nbsp;when, where and&nbsp;how we all get our news and entertainment.</span> &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-84210663615086575992012-04-19T14:05:00.001-06:002012-04-19T14:05:48.826-06:00Heroes Fall<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="&#45;-"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="276"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heroes falter and fall before the<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>ladies of the night in Colombia</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">By Ken Hudnall<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">Borderzine<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">EL PASO -- Prostitution is routinely accepted as part of the culture in the third world countries of the southern hemisphere and success in that field can be a source of pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In the United States, however, prostitution is still shunned and often associated with scandal, which is why a successful high-priced Colombian prostitute has landed on the front pages of major American newspapers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In this bizarre situation, the local customs of Colombia, </span><em><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">vis</span></em><span class="st"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">-à-</span></span><em><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">vis</span></em><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, sex and prostitution have become intertwined with the customs and practices of the United States Secret Service. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>So now the extra- curricular sexual practices of various senior Secret Service agents are the subject of hearings in the U.S. Congress. The twists and turns of this tale make an interesting story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>When the President of the United States travels overseas, an advance team comprised of Secret Service agents and members of the U.S. military are sent ahead of the President to make sure that it is safe for him to travel to that part of the world. That is the official function of these teams. The advance-team agents carry with them the glamour and mystique of the Secret Service that has become a part of our society based on history and depicted in movies and books. As a result of this mystique these agents are viewed as larger than life and somehow better than the rest of us, so when they stumble, so to speak, it is a major shock to the American sense of values. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>These agents are men like the rest of us, with the same weaknesses and flaws as the rest of us. However, their judgment is expected to be beyond reproach, since their judgment can affect the safety of the most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States. To become involved with a prostitute and then let the situation play out in world headlines shows not only a lack of judgment, but also a complete disregard of their status as representatives of the President of the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In final analysis, what happened was not a crime in Colombia and is something that most, if not all, of the congressmen who want to sit in judgment have been guilty of at one time or another. However, these agents brought disgrace not only on the service but also the country they serve. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>It is a sad thing for any culture when its heroes turn out to be just ordinary human beings and that is at the crux of the uproar over the trials and tribulations of a Colombian hooker.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-38966565775312839522012-04-08T14:00:00.001-06:002012-04-08T14:00:21.167-06:00An Out Of This World Story<h1>After 65 years, events at Roswell, NM, still evoke thoughts of extraterrestrials</h1><h2 class="byline">By <a href="http://borderzine.com/contributors/kenhudnall">Ken Hudnall</a> on April 5, 2012</h2><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_11103" style="width: 610px;"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roswell-crash.jpg" rel="lightbox[11102]" title="roswell-crash"><img alt="An illustration of the incident can be found at the Roswell UFO Museum. (Courtesy of Roswell UFO Museum)" class="size-full wp-image-11103 " height="338" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roswell-crash.jpg" title="roswell-crash" width="600" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text">An illustration of the incident can be found at the Roswell UFO Museum. (Courtesy of Roswell UFO Museum)</div></div>EL PASO – Rapidly moving and unusually powerful storms do hit the southwest of United States from time to time and one of them struck near Roswell, NM, in the late hours of July 4, 1947.<br />An aerial craft of unknown design was attempting to cross a rather desolate area some 75 miles northwest of Roswell when it was hit by a powerful bolt of lightning, according to witnesses, and crashed. So began a series of events that have had repercussions to this day.<br /><span class="wpa_container" id="wpa0_container"><a class="wpaudio_0" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Interview-with-Julie-Schuster-Director-of-the-Roswell-UFO-Museum.mp3"><img class="wpa_play" id="wpa0_play" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/plugins/wpaudio-mp3-player/wpa_play.gif" /><span class="wpa_text" id="wpa0_text"><strong><span style="color: #2244ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Interview with Julie Schuster, Director of the Roswell UFO Museum</span></strong></span></a></span><br /><div class="wpa_bar" id="wpa0_bar" style="width: 575px;"><div class="wpa_bar_load" id="wpa0_bar_load"><strong><span style="color: #2244ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="wpa_bar_position" id="wpa0_bar_position"><strong><span style="color: #2244ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="wpa_bar_click" id="wpa0_bar_click"><strong><span style="color: #2244ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></strong></div></div><div class="wpa_sub" id="wpa0_sub" style="width: 575px;"><span class="wpa_time"><span id="wpa0_position">0:00</span> / <span id="wpa0_duration">0:00</span></span><a class="wpa_dl" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Interview-with-Julie-Schuster-Director-of-the-Roswell-UFO-Museum.mp3" id="wpa0_dl">Download</a><span class="wpa_dl_info" id="wpa0_dl_info">Right-click and save as to download.</span></div><br />It should be noted that neither the craft nor the crash went unnoticed. Rancher Mac Brazel heard a loud noise different from the normal sounds of thunder. Two nuns at St. Mary’s Hospital in Roswell saw what they believed was an airplane crash in the distance. The tower at Roswell Army Airfield tracked the flight of the object and reported a “descending flash.” However, at the time no one knew just what had taken place.<br />The morning of July 5, 1947 Brazel went for the morning inspection of his range. Riding with him was his neighbor’s seven-year-old son, Dee Proctor. To his shock, they came upon a debris field 300 hundred yards wide and ¾ of a mile long. Brazel and his young helper dismounted and began to collect some of the smaller pieces of wreckage and soon filled a sack with what were described as strange pieces of metal.<br />The following morning Brazel went to see Sheriff George A. Wilcox in Roswell and made him aware of what had taken place. Wilcox, realizing he was out of his depth placed a call to the commander of Roswell Army Airfield, Colonel Blanchard who in turn alerted the base intelligence officer, Major Jesse Marcel. Marcel took a military sedan and followed Brazel out to his ranch. In 1947 over the primitive roads that crisscrossed the area, this was an all day trip so Marcel spent the night at Brazel’s ranch and on July 7, began the initial investigation of the crash site.<br />Marcel and Brazel spent the morning investigating the debris field and Marcel loaded his car with the strange material found at the site before leaving for town. Before returning to base, Marcel stopped by his home and his 11-year-old son Jesse Marcel, Jr. had the opportunity to handle the odd metal. Later Marcel showed his boss Colonel William Blanchard what he had found.<br />The military moved fast because the same day, July 7<sup>th</sup> Glenn Dennis, a local mortician got a call from Roswell Army Airfield asking about the number of child size caskets he had in stock and how soon he could get more. He was also asked how to preserve bodies that had been exposed to the weather. He answered questions as best as he could.<br />Later than day Dennis took an airman who had been riding a motorcycle and struck a cattle trick to the base hospital and at the emergency entrance saw an ambulance containing some strange items. Curious, Dennis went into the base hospital to see a nurse friend. She reacted strangely and told him to get out of there immediately. On the way out of the hospital he was stopped by military police and told he would die if he told anyone what he had seen.<br />The next day, July 8, 1947, Blanchard instructed 1<sup>st</sup> Lieutenant Walter Haut to issue a press release about recovering a flying saucer. At 2 p.m. the press release was issued and the world went nuts. The press release was later labeled a hoax by higher headquarters. That same day Colonel Blanchard sent Marcel and some of the debris to report to General Roger Ramey in Ft. Worth. Ramey had the debris spread out on the floor, sent Marcel out of the room and when he returned the debris he had brought had been replaced with pieces of a weather balloon.<br />Ramey ordered Marcel not to say a word, called in reporters and told them the weather balloon had been misidentified as a flying saucer.<br />At the same time, Brazel was held in custody by the military at Roswell and was “convinced” to modify his story to support the crashed weather balloon story. Brazel was not released until the afternoon of July 12<sup>th</sup> having been held in solitary for three days. Dennis met his nurse friend who drew him pictures of what he had seen on the examining table – a big-eyed alien. She had written down everything she could about what she had seen and heard. Shortly after this meeting, the next day, she was transferred to England and was then reported as having died. Ramey issued a press release to the Associated Press saying that the saucer story was just a weather balloon.<br />So ended the story of the alien crash at Roswell.<br />However, in the early 1990’s Stanton Friedman, a well-known UFO researcher and a nuclear physicist became aware of the story and began to investigate. The result was to become one of the best-known UFO events in the world.<br />Haut and Dennis opened the UFO museum and study center in Roswell. Every July 4 there is a UFO celebration in Roswell and the town is overwhelmed with visitors. This past year the UFO museum reported that more 150,000 persons visited the center, which have been so highly rated that NASA is in the process of lending it numerous artifacts that are integral parts of the history of man’s travels into space.<br />Did a flying saucer crash just outside of Roswell, New Mexico on July 4, 1947? Has our government conducted a cover up of the real facts for the last 65 years? The jury is still out, but if you have any interest in the question you should go to Roswell and visit the UFO Museum and Study Center.<br /><div class="tags"><span class="tag-links">Article Tags: <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/cover-up/" rel="tag">cover up</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/crash/" rel="tag">crash</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/extraterrestrials/" rel="tag">extraterrestrials</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/nm/" rel="tag">NM</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/roswell/" rel="tag">Roswell</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/roswell-ufo-museum/" rel="tag">Roswell UFO Museum</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/ufo/" rel="tag">UFO</a></span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-60085879821209059462012-04-04T16:17:00.001-06:002012-04-04T16:17:09.672-06:00Another DayWell this semester is winding down and it has been interesting. Having been sent back to school to learn how to create videos has resulted in a number of new markets for my writing as well as several offers that I did not anticipate for employment and a number of requests that I speak at various events. I guess it is true that when it rains it pours. Beginning in late May I will be submitting a new story each week to Borderzine Magazine as well as a number of new publications and working on a short movie. Life is definitely getting interesting.<br />Till next time.Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-70439560233166189642012-04-03T08:53:00.001-06:002012-04-03T10:33:11.574-06:00We Were Not The First<br /><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'Arial Black', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The first story that I wrote that appeared at <a href="http://www.borderzine.com/">http://www.borderzine.com</a> was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">the following.</span></h1><h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: 'Arial Black', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Did Europeans settle in the Arizona desert thousands of years before Columbus sailed to America?</h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /><h2 class="byline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; display: inline; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">By&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/contributors/kenhudnall" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ken Hudnall</a>&nbsp;on March 1, 2012</span></h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_10765" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 544px;"><a href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calalus-cross.jpg" rel="lightbox[10763]" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="calalus-cross"><img alt="Engraved on the cross found in the Arizona desert c.1922 is the tale that after landing on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Romans marched northwest until they arrived at a desert area near present day Tucson. (Photo from the Desert Magazine, December 1980.)" class="size-full wp-image-10765 " height="425" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/calalus-cross.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(136, 136, 136); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="calalus-cross" width="534" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">Engraved on the cross found in the Arizona desert c.1922 is the tale that after landing on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Romans marched northwest until they arrived at a desert area near present day Tucson. (Photo from the Desert Magazine, December 1980.)</div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">EL PASO – In our modern world we tend to think of stories of pygmies and giants, dragons and the wee people, hidden treasures and mysterious lost cities as fairy tales and bedtime stories, but these yarns have roots deep in the distant history of the American Southwest.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Almost 500 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus, Leif Ericson explored the land west of Greenland and established a small settlement. More than 300 years before Columbus landed in Santo Domingo in 1492, a Welsh explorer navigated up Alabama’s Mobile Bay and established European styled fortifications and settlements as far north as the Ohio Valley.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But perhaps even they weren’t the first to come to the new world. Roman Christians may have established a colony on the outskirts of what is now Tucson, Arizona as far back as 775 A.D. Unfortunately, mainstream archeology and academia have dismissed these discoveries as either hoaxes or simply as unworthy of discussion. However, to their chagrin, such unusual discoveries continue to be made.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It might be hard to understand that there have been discoveries that would change the history books and our concept of ancient history, but established academia has gone out of its way to suppress such discoveries. There have been dozens of discoveries that make it very clear that there was once a relatively advanced civilization occupying North America of which only bare remnants remain.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When the European explorers landed on the eastern shores of this great land, they believed that it was untouched by man. Then the explorers met the scattered Indian tribes that inhabited the east. Most of the tribes in North America were small and ill prepared for the arrival of one of the greatest scourges of the old world – the religious zealot. The Conquistadors were bringing the word of God to the heathen of the New World whether they wanted it or not.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The arrival of the Spanish was not an accident; there was a legal basis for their move to the new world. In 1095, at the beginning of the Crusades, Pope Urban II issued an edict, referred to as a Papal Bull.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The first of these Papal edicts affecting the new world was called&nbsp;<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Terra Nullius</em>&nbsp;(meaning empty land). This Bull gave the kings and princes of Europe the right to “discover” or claim land in non-Christian areas. This policy was further extended in the year 1452 when Pope Nicholas V issued a Papal Bull entitled&nbsp;<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Romanus Pontifex</em>, declaring war against all non-Christians throughout the world and authorizing the conquest of their nations and territories.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">These religious edicts treated non-Christians as uncivilized sub-humans, and therefore without rights to any land or nation. Christian leaders claimed a God-given right to take control of all lands and used these Papal Edicts to justify war, colonization, and even slavery of the people living in the conquered lands.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As detailed by Rick Osmon in&nbsp;<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Graves of the Golden Bear: Ancient Fortresses and Monuments of the Ohio Valley</em>, by the time Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492, this idea, which was referred to as the Doctrine of Discovery, was a well-established concept.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="wpa_container" id="wpa0_container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a class="wpaudio_0" href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Osmon-audio.mp3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2244ff; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img class="wpa_play" id="wpa0_play" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/plugins/wpaudio-mp3-player/wpa_play.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #888888; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 16px;" /><span class="wpa_text" id="wpa0_text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Exclusive interview with author Rick Osmon</span></a></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Spanish, acting on the assumption that there were no previous civilizations existing on the North American continent, rushed in to claim the “empty lands” granted them by the Papal Bulls. In spite of contemporary tales of others finding the new world, the Catholic Church through its major sponsors at the time, the Spanish court and the Jesuit brotherhood, were able to ensure that history would show that Christopher Columbus was the first to find the new world. Spain was his sponsor, and thus Spain was due a legal and rightful claim to the entire New World, including all riches and human slaves that could be found there.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, during the initial exploration, to their chagrin, there were signs that there had been a pre-existing civilization. There was even evidence that there had been a pre-existing “Christian” civilization in North America. This fact, alone, if proven, would have thrown the ownership of this great land up for grabs as the Papal Bulls would not have applied to the new world.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Under the instructions of their religious “advisors,” the Spanish moved to eradicate the evidence of earlier settlements, thus making the new world safe for conquest.</div><div align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Roman legions in Arizona</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There is evidence that in 775 A.D. a fleet of ships carrying 700 Christianized Romans left the Roman Empire under the command of Theodorus the Renowned bound for the New World. The information regarding this colonial effort comes from an engraved cross that was unearthed near present day Tucson, Arizona.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">According to the story engraved on the cross, after a landing on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the Romans marched northwest until, arriving at a desert area near present day Tucson, where they built a city that they called Terra Calalus. According to the records found, the colony flourished until approximately 900 A.D when the local Native American tribes that they had been oppressing for almost 125 years destroyed it.</div><div align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Welsh visitors</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Romans were not the only Europeans to predate the arrival of Columbus. The Daughters of the American Revolution placed a most interesting plaque at Fort Morgan, Alabama few years ago commemorating the explorations of Prince Madoc, a brave Welsh explorer. A few historians have insisted that Prince Madoc and his followers landed on the shores of Mobile Bay in the year 1170, over 300 years before Columbus came to America.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At the unveiling of the plaque were Mrs. Mary Yale Williams, both a descendant of the Madoc family and a member of the family that founded Yale University, Hatchett Chandler, of Fort Morgan, at whose suggestion the marker was placed at the old fort and Miss Zella Armstrong of Chattanooga, author of&nbsp;<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who Discovered America: The Amazing Story of Madoc</em>, a book in which she concluded that Madoc was the first white discoverer of what is now the United States.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Many researchers have investigated the claim of Madoc and the 1170 date and a few have found substance in the claims. Much of the early research along this line centered on stories regarding “Welsh speaking Indians” that were purportedly of fair complexion and that used round boats built much more like Welsh coracles than like canoes. Indeed, several portraits and chronicle entries by early journalists, particularly by Meriwether Lewis and George Caitlin, appear to depict light skinned, blue-eyed people in native attire living among the Mandan tribe of the Missouri River country.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">According to the story, hostile Indians killed Prince Madoc during an attack. Supporting this sad ending to the career of this brave individual was a discovery in Wales of an ancient chapel. During a renovation of this structure, a mural was found commemorating the death of Prince Madoc and in the mural the attackers were identified as feather wearing individuals who shot arrows at the Welsh explorers.</div><div align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ancient copper mines</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">According to the research of Philip Coppens in his work&nbsp;<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copper: A world trade in 3000 BC?</em>&nbsp;Predating even the arrival of the Welsh and the Romans, the era around 3000 BC saw more than 500,000 tons of copper mined from the so-called Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The largest mine was on Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior, near the Canadian border. Here, there are thousands of prehistoric copper pits, dug thousands of years ago by an unknown ancient people.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The mining operation on Isle Royale was neither small nor primitive even by today’s standards. The Mining Belt on Isle Royale is one and three quarter miles in length and nearly four hundred feet wide. The copper pits range from 10 to 30 feet deep with a maze of connecting tunnels that one archaeologist estimated would have taken the equivalent of 10,000 men working for 1000 years to dig.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">After two centuries of speculation, no one has ever satisfactorily explained either the identity of the miners or where all of this copper mined by these unknown miners went. Dating of the relics found at the site revealed that extraction of copper from Isle Royal began in 5300 BC, with some researchers even claiming that it began as early as 6000 BC. Evidence for smelting is known to exist from “only” 4000 BC onwards.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The exact amount of the mined ore is perhaps never going to be exactly determined, but what is known is that about 1200 BC, all mining activity was halted. But around 1000 AD, mining was restarted and lasted until 1320 AD. During this period more than 2000 tons of copper ore were removed.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So clearly, there were a fairly large number of inhabitants of some sophistication living in North America over 5,000 years ago and there were a number of explorers and settlers here long before Christopher Columbus “discovered” America for the Spanish Crown.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In future articles, we will examine not only these stories but other fascinating aspects that are numbered among the many mysteries that make the Southwest United States such a fascinating part of the country.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">_____</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Editor’s Note</strong>&nbsp;– This is the first in a series of articles that examines data showing that North America has been a crossroads for explorers from distant lands for more than a thousand years and that Europeans may have actually established colonies in America long before Columbus sailed the Caribbean Sea.</div><div class="tags" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="tag-links" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Article Tags:&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/american-southwest/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">American Southwest</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/ancient-history/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ancient history</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/christopher-columbus/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Christopher Columbus</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/new-world/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">New World</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/prince-madoc/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prince Madoc</a>,<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/rick-osmon/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rick Osmon</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/terra-calalus/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Terra Calalus</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/the-conquistadors/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Conquistadors</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/the-mining-belt-on-isle-royale/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mining Belt on Isle Royale</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/welsh-explorers/" rel="tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #d45028; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Welsh explorers</a></span></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /><ul class="addtoany_list" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-indent: 0px !important; vertical-align: baseline;"></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-41150270767755739412012-04-01T14:11:00.000-06:002012-04-01T14:11:50.316-06:00School SpiritsHere is my next publication at <a href="http://www.borderzine.com/">http://www.borderzine.com</a>: <br /><br /><h1> Lingering memories of ghostly images and echoing pep rallies haunt El Paso High</h1><h2 class="byline"> By <a href="http://borderzine.com/contributors/kenhudnall">Ken Hudnall</a> on March 22, 2012</h2><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_10913" style="width: 610px;"><a href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high.jpg" rel="lightbox[10910]" title="el-paso-high"><img alt="Front of the El Paso High School building. (Ken Hudnall/Borderzine.com)" class="size-full wp-image-10913 " height="424" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high.jpg" title="el-paso-high" width="600" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text">Front of the El Paso High School building. (Ken Hudnall/Borderzine.com)</div></div>EL PASO – It’s dark and late, usually around 2 a.m. when the faint notes of the Tiger fight song begin to sound, then, more clearly, cheerleaders cheering and students laughing, and stamping feet cascading into a pep rally – in a locked empty auditorium.<br />You are hearing ghosts.<br />“You might also think New Orleans is the most haunted city in the U.S but it is actually El Paso,” said Tobias H. “Toby” Tovar, 55, a math instructor at El Paso High School, “and El Paso High School is the most haunted building in town.”<br />El Paso High located at 800 E. Schuster, opened for classes in 1916 and since then “Lady on the Hill” has graduated many prominent citizens, and has captured hundreds of trophies, plaques, and championships in all fields.<br />“Since the days of its construction, paranormal events have taken place at the school,” said Tovar. There have been numerous interior modifications designed to accommodate a growing student body and changing educational theories. As a result, a number of the original classrooms and hallways are no more, but there are stories that some of the modifications were done because of spirits that seem to have an affinity for certain areas of the building.<br />It is said that there is a hall that leads to a balcony that is also closed off. People say they have seen an image of a girl jumping from the balcony. According to the story, every single day, mist and fog roam the abandoned hallway and there seems to be some “gooey-stuff” on the ceiling.<br />This unusual activity stems from an incident that happened nearly 35 years ago when a distraught teenage girl killed herself by slitting her wrists and then, throwing herself from a balcony at the end of the hallway. There were been enough sightings that a wall was built completely closing the stairway leading up to the haunted hallway.<br />However, this tragic young lady racing to her death is not the only unexplainable thing that has been seen at this historic school. Almost from the day it was constructed odd things have happened.<br />In the recent El Paso High School yearbook, there is a reproduction of an old photograph showing a young lady in a white dress watching the original construction of the building in 1916. However, this unknown woman was not in the original photograph. Who was she and most importantly, how did she get in the picture?<br /><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_10915" style="width: 370px;"><a href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high-class-19861.jpg" rel="lightbox[10910]" title="el-paso-high-class-1985"><img alt="1986 Graduating class - The girl on white was not in the original negative but is in the developed photo. No one knows who she is. (From the El Paso High public pictures)" class="size-full wp-image-10915 " height="255" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high-class-19861.jpg" title="el-paso-high-class-1985" width="360" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text">1986 Graduating class - The girl on white was not in the original negative but is in the developed photo. No one knows who she is. (From the El Paso High public pictures)</div></div>A trophy case just inside the original front entrance of this grand old school contains a photo of the 1985 graduating class. “Everyone else in the photo shows up clear and distinct, but there is one young lady whose features are faint and fuzzy. Her image looks like it was inserted after the photo was taken,” explained Tovar.<br />The figure in the picture is at the end of a row primarily of teachers. There are two young ladies, one toward the right end of the group and one on the left center of the group who are looking intently toward where this mysterious young lady is standing. Were these two young ladies perhaps the only ones sensitive enough to realize that something was wrong?<br />This mysterious girl was not part of that particular graduating class and no one in the class that was photographed admitted knowing the identity of the girl. But regardless of how she got into the picture, she is very clearly in the photograph, a lovely, lonely looking girl, smiling for the camera.<br />Tovar had a wealth of stories about events at the school. “About 15 years ago, it snowed in El Paso to the point that schools were closed. A few teachers and students had arrived before the closure announcement. Those teachers and students who had been able to make it to school were not allowed to leave due to unsafe road conditions. Having nothing else to do, a group of students and teachers, decided to explore the school starting with the tunnels in the basement,” he said.<br />At one point, several of the teachers crawled through a small opening eventually coming to a brick wall that blocked the tunnel. The bricks were old and the cement between them was crumbling, but it was clear that these bricks had been added long after the surrounding brickwork. Curious, one of the teachers pushed on the newer bricks until some gave way, revealing a large dark cavity. Pushing a flashlight through the hole, they discovered a sealed off classroom.<br />“This discovery surprised everyone as no one had even heard a whisper that there might be sealed off classrooms in the building,” said Tovar. The room was small and contained antique desks of the type seen in the television show Little House on the Prairie. There was no doubt that the classroom dated from the original construction of the building. The classroom was still set up with desks in place, texts and student notebooks still in place waiting for the students.<br />“There were Baby Ruth candy bar wrappers on the floor from a time this product sold for 5 cents as well as numerous 5-cent coke bottles. In one of the student notebooks lying on a desk, they found, in addition to algebra notes and completed problems, a very racy love letter from the owner of the book to a boy,” he explained.<br />There was a second sealed off classroom nearby, also ready to receive students, now filled with only dust and silence. Try as they might, they were never able to discover why, two classrooms would be sealed off so fast that they would not be cleaned of debris, desks nor texts nor the students be given time to claim their personal articles.<br /><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_10912" style="width: 370px;"><a href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high-woman-ghost.jpg" rel="lightbox[10910]" title="el-paso-high-woman-ghost"><img alt="The woman in the lower left hand corner was not in the original negative but is in the final photo. No one knows her identity. (From the El Paso High School public pictures.)" class="size-full wp-image-10912 " height="241" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/el-paso-high-woman-ghost.jpg" title="el-paso-high-woman-ghost" width="360" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text">The woman in the lower left hand corner was not in the original negative but is in the final photo. No one knows her identity. (From the El Paso High School public pictures.)</div></div>The vast basement has been used as an overflow morgue during several of our nation’s wars. During World War II there were so many casualties shipped here that bodies had been stored in the basement until the next of kin could be notified. During the Spanish Flu Epidemic in the early part of the 1900s, so many died that the bodies were also stored in the basement of the High School.<br />At one point in his career in the early 1980s, Toby Tovar was the basketball coach for the 8th grade basketball team. That year, the 8th grade team was undefeated and they were scheduled to play the only other undefeated team in the city. Each afternoon the 8th grade team had gym time scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7.p.m. in the gym immediately below his classroom. A disquieting event happened during practice one day.<br />Just after they started practice, two waist-high access doors leading to the tunnels flew violently open, slamming back against the wall on either side. Naturally, the assumption eventually reached, even though there was little if any wind outside, was that a freak draft coming down one of the many chimneys had blown the latched doors open. The doors were shut and long heavy bench was placed in front of the doors to make sure that they would stay closed.<br />“The kids had gone back to their scrimmage game and they were all at the far end of the court. At about 7 p.m., the bench went flying across the court and the doors, that had been securely latched, again flew open violently,” Tovar related. Suffice it to say that this team, made up of gang members who didn’t fear the devil himself, led by a coach who, in his youth had led two tough barrio gangs, decided to leave the building without even taking the time to turn out the lights.<br />“A few years ago, Angelo Plecluda was the Journalism Instructor at El Paso High,” related Tovar. He and the yearbook staff, composed of journalism students, would work long into the night to produce a first class yearbook. One night he sent the last students home, and planned on being close behind them, but he had a few last minute things to do. It was almost exactly 11 p.m. when he finally left.<br />According to Tovar, when Plecluda turned toward the exit, standing in the pool of dim red light thrown by the exit sign was a young lady wearing a blue chiffon dress of the type that would be worn to the School Prom in the 1940s or 1950s. Thinking it was one of his students, asked her what she was doing there and told her to go home.<br />The girl turned and looked directly at him, her expression one of deep sadness. As he walked toward her, she began to become transparent and he noticed that she was not standing on the floor, but rather hovering in mid-air about a foot off of the floor. When he was only a few feet from her, she glided back into the deeper darkness of the hallway and disappeared.<br />“Danny McKillip was a former All-American and has been inducted into the UTEP Miner Hall of Fame for Track and Field,” began Tovar. He was also Track Coach for El Paso High. One night in the late 1970s or early 1980s, Coach McKillip and the El Paso Track Team returned to the school very late at night after a track meet in Austin. The Track Teams’ locker room was in the area beneath Tovar’s classroom. The students came into the building to drop off their track gear and pick up their possessions they had left in their lockers.<br />“The school was dark and silent when the buses arrived,” explained Tovar. As the students were gathering their possessions, McKillip suddenly heard the sounds of the Tiger Fight Song, cheerleaders performing their cheers and the sounds of a very spirited pep rally coming from the Second Floor Auditorium. Baffled, but thinking it might be a surprise reception for his Track Team that had just won the State Championship, Coach McKillip ran up the stairs to the second floor and, even though everything was dark, he dashed for the auditorium, a hundred feet away. Just as he reached the doors to the Auditorium, all of the sounds stopped. He found that the doors to the Auditorium were locked and he could no longer see nor hear anything.<br />Coach McKillip unlocked the Auditorium and entered. He found everything dark and quiet. There was no sign that anyone had been there recently. Puzzled, more than ever, he returned to the locker room where some of his students were still waiting for him. No sooner had he rejoined his students than once again they all heard the sounds of the Tiger Fight Song, cheerleaders leading cheers and voices screaming. Followed by most of the remaining students, Coach McKillip dashed back up the stairs toward the Auditorium. Once again, halfway to the door, all sounds stopped, the school was dark and silent as a tomb.<br />McKillip opened the Auditorium doors and he and his students searched the Auditorium for anything or anyone who could have made the sounds that they had heard. They found nothing. They returned to the locker room gathered their possessions and left the building.<br />The building is steeped in history but it hides its secrets well. Doing modifications to the auditorium, workers removed the steps leading to the stage and found hidden, one or two books per step, an entire set of a Catholic Encyclopedia hidden beneath the steps. This set of books is complete, lavishly illustrated and a real treasure. How did they get inside those steps? Who put them there and most importantly, why were they placed in such an unusual hiding place?<br />“El Paso High custodians quit their duties at 9 p.m. so unless someone is working late, after this hour, the massive building is deserted, the lights are out, and the alarms are set. The building is completely secure. But with El Paso High School, it can never be said with certainty that the building is deserted and secure. The restless dead walk the dark,” said Tovar.<br /><div class="tags"><span class="tag-links">Article Tags: <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/el-paso-high-school/" rel="tag">El Paso High School</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/ghosts/" rel="tag">ghosts</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/haunted-school/" rel="tag">haunted school</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/suicide/" rel="tag">suicide</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/supernatural/" rel="tag">supernatural</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/tunnels/" rel="tag">tunnels</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/yearbook/" rel="tag">yearbook</a></span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-4008165493446736782012-03-31T14:25:00.001-06:002012-03-31T14:26:52.191-06:00Writing for BorderzineI have been a little slow writing on this blog, but I have an excuse, I have been writing stories for <a href="http://www.borderzine.com/">http://www.borderzine.com</a>. The following is my most recent effort.<br /><br /><h1> David Kaplan – A child in the Nazi concentration camps survives and forgives</h1><br /><h2 class="byline"> By <a href="http://borderzine.com/contributors/kenhudnall">Ken Hudnall</a> on March 29, 2012</h2><br /><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_11035" style="width: 610px;"><a href="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/david-kaplan.jpg" rel="lightbox[11034]" title="david-kaplan"><img alt="Kaplan survived four years in the Nazi concentration camps and was the only one from his family. (David Smith-Soto/Borderzine.com)" class="size-full wp-image-11035 " height="401" src="http://borderzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/david-kaplan.jpg" title="david-kaplan" width="600" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text">Kaplan survived four years in the Nazi concentration camps and was the only one from his family. (David Smith-Soto/Borderzine.com)</div></div><br />EL PASO – Loud demanding voices in the darkness of the early morning disrupting too few hours of sleep and waking to find that the man next to him is now a corpse mark the start of another stressful day in the Nazi concentration camp.<br /><br />Hunger pangs continually tear at his stomach as he labors in the ever-present bone-chilling cold that cuts through the filthy rags he wears.<br /><br />These are some of David Kaplan’s childhood memories.<br /><br />“Families were torn apart, you never knew when it would be your turn to die,” said David Kaplan, 82. He told journalism students at the University of Texas at El Paso that he felt lucky to have survived the hell he fell into when he was only 11 years old.<br /><br />These memories are alien to most of us in America today, seen only in old World War II movies. Even there, the actors are too well fed to be truly representative of those who spent anytime at all behind the electrified wire that fenced these camps. Under a continual death sentence that could be carried out at any time, most of us would be reduced to mental and emotional wrecks. But there are some who seem to be able to accept the situation, adapt, and if not thrive, at least survive.<br /><br />On June 14, 1940 under the provisions of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Russia occupied Lithuania, Kaplan’s homeland. At the time, he was eleven years old, living in the town of Kaunas with his father, mother, grandfather, sister and brother. His father was a tailor who employed eight other workers in the creation of tailor made suits. “We lived on the upper floors of the house that contained Kaplan’s Tailor Shop,” he explained.<br /><br />Even prior to the Soviet occupation his relationship with his father was strained. His father was an alcoholic who beat his wife and then life under the Soviets was harsh. “I was happy when they took him away,” he remarked during the interview. Considered wealthy, his father was ordered to stop work by the Russians, the state would provide. However, Kaplan senior disobeyed and was arrested and sent to Siberia, leaving the family to shift for itself.<br /><br />In 1941, Hitler declared war on the Soviet Union and invaded Lithuania. However, even before the arrival of German troops a group of Lithuanians began killing Russians and Jewish members of the population. “The partisans attacked the Jewish section of the city and killed over 10,000 Jews,” Kaplan said. On June 22, 1941 the German military arrived in Lithuania and put a stop to the violence. However, the peace was short lived, the calm before the storm, so to speak.<br /><br />Before the Holocaust, Lithuania was home to almost a quarter of a million Jews and was considered one of the greatest centers of Jewish theology, philosophy, and learning in Eastern Europe. Unlike any other Nazi-occupied countries where the Holocaust was introduced gradually beginning with limiting Jewish civil rights, then concentrating Jews in ghettos, and finally moving the Jews to the death camps, executions in Lithuania started during the first days of war.<br /><br />Researchers estimate that over that 80 per cent of the Lithuanian Jews were killed before January of 1942. The surviving 43,000 Jews were concentrated in the Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai, and Švenčionys Ghettos and forced to work for the benefit of German military industry. However, on June 21, 1943, Heinrich Himmler issued an order to liquidate all ghettos and transfer any remaining Jews to concentration camps. Vilnius Ghetto was liquidated, while Kaunas and Šiauliai were turned into concentration camps and survived until July 1944. The remaining Jews were sent to camps in Stutthof, Dachau, and Auschwitz. Only about 2,000–3,000 of Lithuanian Jews survived to be liberated from these camps at the end of the war.<br /><br />Due to widespread Lithuanian cooperation with the German authorities, the genocide rate of Jews in Lithuania, estimated to have exceeded 95% of the Jewish population, was one of the highest in Europe. Jews were widely considered to be responsible for the previous Soviet regime and were resented for welcoming Soviet troops. Targeted Nazi propaganda exploited the anti-Soviet sentiment and increased already existing, traditional anti-Semitism.<br /><br />After initially gaining some control over the country, the Germans issued an edict giving all Jews in Kaunas 18 days to move to a small area called Slobotka. This was an area where the poor Jews used to live and the Germans wanted all Jews to move to this section of town. There was not enough space for all of the Jews, but Germans insisted the Jews move into this area anyway. They were told that they could exchange their homes in other parts of the city for a place to stay in the Jewish ghetto. The Kaplan family was forced to change their home with its shop and apartments for one room that lacked water or even plumbing. This one room had to provide shelter for David, 11, his brother, who was 16, his sister who was 14, his mother and his grandfather.<br /><br />“The ghetto was surrounded by chicken wire and within its confines the Germans created a police force and a fire department staffed by Jews,” Kaplan said. A Jewish professional by the name of Dr. Hellkes was placed in charge of the ghetto and was the conduit between the Jewish people and the German authorities. “Life was hard in the ghetto, there was very little food and those confined to the ghetto were expected to work at the airport getting it ready for the influx of the German troops,” he explained. David’s mother and sister worked at the airport, but his brother was too sick to work.<br /><br />The Germans kept adding Jews to the ghetto until overcrowding was a very serious issue. Dr. Hellkes complained to the Germans that there were too many people in the ghetto and was told not to worry that the overcrowding problem would soon be solved. Shortly troops and buses arrived and half of those in the ghetto were loaded onto the buses and taken away to the death camps. The other half was left to continue their work. Eventually, the ghetto was eradicated and the survivors sent to the death camps.<br /><br />When Kaplan was 12, he was finally sent to the camp where the Jews were divided into two groups. The group on the left, the group to the right went to the barracks. Kaplan was originally selected for death, but he claimed to be an experienced shoemaker, which got him the opportunity to demonstrate his ability. In truth, his ability was minimal, but a kind worker suggested that he shine shoes to speed up the manufacturing process.<br /><br />One morning, Kaplan, then 13, was working in the shoe shop when he saw several red buses with white paint covered windows enter the compound. He watched silently as the children left in the barracks while their parents were working, were rounded up by the guards and herded onto the buses, kicking, yelling and crying. Kaplan stayed hidden in the shoe shop and was spared. The children that were taken were never seen again. When the parents came home and found their children gone, they screamed in desperation and many killed themselves on the electrified fence.<br /><br />Kaplan survived four years in the Nazi concentration camps. Along with his older brother, his mother and sister, he was shipped out of Lithuania in a railroad cattle car. In Poland, on the way to Germany, his mother and sister were separated from him and were marched into oblivion. He never saw them again.<br /><br />Ending up in the Dachau camp near Munich, he was assigned to carry bags of cement.&nbsp; His brother only lasted three weeks, but by using his wits and taking advantage of some lucky breaks, Kaplan managed to survive until the end of the war.<br /><br />When Dachau was about to be liberated by allied forces on April 22, 1945, the camp survivors were marched toward the Swiss border to be exchanged for German prisoners. One morning, the survivors awoke to find their guards gone. Eventually a Wehrmacht Major approached and told them that allied forces were not far away and they should go to the nearest town. Shortly afterward, American soldiers discovered the survivors.<br /><br />Eventually, more by luck than plan, Kaplan arrived at one of the resettlement offices and received permission to be resettled in St. Charles, MO. However, en route, his destination was changed to El Paso, which became his home. The boy who had his family torn from him has now been married for 60 years and has a large extended family.<br /><br />After his liberation, Kaplan said, he decided to survive psychologically as well as physically and he found it in his heart to forgive the Germans. He didn’t want to carry hatred with him for the rest of his life, he said, but he still maintains that his story should be told lest people forget the Holocaust.<br /><br /><div class="tags"><span class="tag-links">Article Tags: <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/anti-semitism/" rel="tag">anti-Semitism</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/children-in-concentration-camps/" rel="tag">children in concentration camps</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/concentration-camp/" rel="tag">concentration camp</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/dachau-camp-near-munich/" rel="tag">Dachau camp near Munich</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/david-kaplan/" rel="tag">David Kaplan</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/genocide/" rel="tag">genocide</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/jewish/" rel="tag">Jewish</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/lithuania/" rel="tag">Lithuania</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/lithuanian-jews/" rel="tag">Lithuanian Jews</a>, <a href="http://borderzine.com/tag/nazi-concentration-camp/" rel="tag">Nazi concentration camp</a></span></div>Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4821180110119059672.post-31395121489486694192012-03-22T10:12:00.000-06:002012-03-22T10:19:07.987-06:00History and MysteryNice of you to join me again, I am trying to make time to write something everyday, but it is tough. The Ken Hudnall Show is building listeners and new books are coming. In July I will be presenting "UFOs and the Paranormal" at the Roswell UFO Convention. The presentation will be at the UFO Library and Study Center.<br />I would also point everyone to my History and Mystery Tours every Saturday night beginning at the Camino Real Hotel. On these tours we cover unsolved mysteries, lost treasures and ghosts in and around downtown El Paso, Texas. Beginning at the Camino Real, we discuss the mysteries of the hotel, the Plaza Hotel, the Plaza Theater, White House, Mills Building, Library, Chase Bank, the&nbsp;Cortez Building, the old Popular Building, the Acme Saloon and then we are back at the Hotel. It will fascinate and mystify.<br />Oh, I have had further communication with representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency. It has been officially decided that I am not too old and perhaps my skill set is of the level that they would like to acquire. I had a telephone conference with the same individual who did not have time for me and the 30 minute call turned into an hour and a half of discussion regarding opportunities for the me with the CIA. Who knows, perhaps it is a route.<br />Until next time, good day.Ken Hudnallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12159753333324328422noreply@blogger.com0